Apr 
Featured New Releases:
The word “prolific” seems hardly prolific enough for a man like Jack White. His King Midas touch usually spells critical acclaim for the projects he is a part of, a groundswell of notoriety that has climaxed at the release of his first truly “solo” record, Blunderbuss. White’s undeniable personal and vocal presence plus blues-infused, southern-inspired rock is laced all over this album that he wrote, recorded and produced himself. He said, “I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.” Bonus: White’s Raconteurs collaborator Brendan Benson also has a new album out today, called What Kind of World Also, if you happen to be within 300 miles or so from Nashville, TN, you may find a “Freedom at 21” 7” vinyl album lying around, released by his label Third Man Records on April 1st via helium balloons. (really)
If You Like: The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Dead Weather (all Jack White projects)
Recommended Track: “Freedom at 21”
Similarly to boy bands of the past and, most recently, The X Factor-curated sensation One Direction, The Wanted was pieced together and backed by an all-star team of writers and producers, releasing their self-titled debut in 2012 in the UK and building awareness in the US before releasing it across the pond. The smash hit, “Glad You Came,” along with other tracks on the record take a darker turn than their One Direction comparisons, primed for synchs within Nicholas Sparks movie adaptations and feeling slightly “older” in general. Time will tell who will come out on top more within the hearts and minds of their fans, but one things for sure, boy bands are back and very likely to be around a while.
If You Like: OneRepublic, The Script, One Direction
Recommended Track: “All Time Low”
In a world of “safe” hip-hop, Death Grips is anything but. Having only released a mixtape to tremendous online buzz, they make their way into the limelight with their very dark and merciless beats and lyrics. The album is top-loaded with some, “safer” almost poppy songs, but quickly becomes relentlessly electronic and fast paced, leaving almost no time to recover. It’s noisy yet somehow incredibly captivating, without the need for the stunts of similar artists like Odd Future. This band is currently wading in the hipster waters of the likes of Pitchfork but with the right collaborations and open minds, you may see more of this band in more “mainstream” arenas very soon.
If You Like: Odd Future, Busdriver, Danny Brown
Recommended Track: “Get Got”
Other Featured Titles Available This Week (4/24/12):
Eve 6 – Speak In Code
Theophilus London - Timez Are Weird These Nights Powered by Bing
Brendan Benson – What Kind of World
Tiësto – Club Life – Volume Two Miami
Vicente Fernandez – Los 2 Vicentes
Vintage Trouble – The Bomb Shelter Sessions
The Raveonettes – Into the Night
Joe Pug – The Great Despiser
Haste the Day – The Best of the Best
Toro Y Moi – J U N E 2 0 0 9
Billy Bragg & Wilco – Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions
Torche – Harmonicraft
Coming Up Next Week (5/1/12):
B.o.B – Strange Clouds
Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
Norah Jones – Little Broken Hearts
Santigold – Master of My Make Believe
Rufus Wainwright – Out Of The Game
Marilyn Manson - Born Villian
SMASH Cast – The Music of SMASH
Pennywise – All Or Nothing
NOW 42 - NOW 42
NOW Classic Rock 2 - NOW Classic Rock 2
Ramona Falls – Prophet
Atari Teenage Riot – Collapse of History
ISIS – SGNL>05
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Aufheben
The Spinto Band – Shy Pursuit
Trace Bundy – Elephant King
